Fury erupts over Buckie Bank of Scotland closure
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THE decision by Bank of Scotland (BoS) to close their branch in Buckie has been strongly condemned.
August 1 will see the branch on 21 East Church Street in the town close its doors for the last time.
According to BoS figures, the branch had an average of 456 customers a month over a six month period to November.
The move will leave Buckie with just one bank branch – the TSB – a stark contrast to a few years ago when there were four branches to choose from.
The closures are part of 38 in Scotland that will see the removal of services in the north-east, Moray and beyond with closures having already taken place in Braemar and Ballater last year.
The branch closures come off the back of removal of mobile services which were announced in November, with bi-weekly cover to end in Alford, Cullen, Huntly, Insch, Keith, New Pitsligo, Portsoy, Turriff and Westhill by the end of May.
Moray MP Douglas Ross slammed the “appalling” decision by BoS to close their branch in Buckie. The bank have informed him that once the branch closes, there will be a community banker to support customers who will be affected by the closure.
However, Mr Ross says that alternative “simply won’t wash” with loyal local customers who continue to be “abandoned” by major banking firms time and time again.
He went on to say that having access to branches is “absolutely vital” for customers in communities like Buckie and across Moray but with each passing year, it looks like banking on the high street is going to be a thing of the past in many parts of the country.
He added that he will be seeking an urgent meeting with Bank of Scotland bosses to call on them to reverse their decision and ensure customers still have access to their bank in their local community.
Mr Ross continued: “This is an appalling decision by the Bank of Scotland to close their branch in Buckie.
“The alternative of a community banker to visit the town simply won’t wash with loyal local customers.
“Once again a major bank has abandoned customers in our area. They are completely naïve to think that customers can seamlessly transition to mobile and online banking, when poor connectivity is still a major issue in areas like Buckie.
“Having access to a banking branch in their own community is absolutely crucial for customers, especially our elderly and vulnerable customers and those who don’t have access to a car.
“For them, it looks like banking in our high streets is going to soon become a thing of the past.
“I am seeking an urgent meeting with Bank of Scotland bosses to call on them to reverse this planned closure and ensure customers in Buckie will not see their branch close in a matter of months.”
Buckie councillors Sonya Warren, Neil McLennan and John Stuart were united in their condemnation of the move.
Councillor Warren said the announcement was in stark contrast to the upward direction of Buckie's economy.
"It's disappointing that yet another bank in the town is closing.
"With growth in work at the harbour and expansion of other commercial activity in the town, this decision makes little sense for the community, especially given that the Bank of Scotland have recently withdrawn their mobile banking services across Moray.
"It will be a devastating blow to the staff whose jobs may be at risk, as well as the loss to the community. People who do not have access to internet or use internet banking will be particularly affected. There are several areas of very poor connectivity in Buckie. If more and more companies are expecting us to use the internet we need to call on government to ensure the are no areas left behind and disadvantaged by poor connectivity.
"Thankfully the TSB is still standing firm.
"Hopefully the cash machine will be retained for the community, as there has been a big reduction in free automated cash machines locally. Given the rural nature of our community we need to be able to access cash readily.
"At the council's planning committee we were being told of the rapid rise in our aging population. I was calling for services to be local and accessible, age friendly communities. The withdrawal of yet another vital service to our community is the exact opposite of what we need."
Councillor McLennan said he would be contacting BoS to urge them to consider a number of options to allow face-to-face banking to continue.
He continued: "It is always disappointing when community assets close.
"I appreciate technological change and different patterns of using bank however I hope banks will be able to work together to make sure no-one, especially our most vulnerable, are disadvantaged.
"It is essential that people have access to banking services and support. Banking hubs or mobile banks are essential in communities where a pattern of closures like this starts to emerge.
"I will be writing to Bank of Scotland to ask for their consideration of these and any other options they consider helpful for customers in the town."
Councillor Stuart stressed that a "one size fits all" approach to banking was not appropriate.
He added: "Banks have long forgotten how important local branches like Buckie are to their customers.
"I am really disappointed in the decision to close our Bank of Scotland branch – I know many locals in Buckie feel this, too.
"Banks need to remember the ways people choose to bank can't be a one size fits all approach. This announcement further reduces accessible banking, for those who want to do this in a face-to-face way. It is most unfair to customers and not forgetting staff working there."
